On Monday, County Executive Jeff Smith released his $4 billion recommended budget for the coming fiscal year, a plan to offset the county's current $219.6 million shortfall. Budget-balancing is required by law and, absent new revenue sources, shrinking the social safety net becomes the county government's last-resort -- a set of Hobson's Choices that pit programs for the homebound elderly against those serving abused children and the mentally ill.

Little would be left untouched under Smith's plan, with service reductions in the offices of the tax collector, clerk-recorder, veterans' affairs, public guardian and emergency services. Three units of the juvenile hall would be shuttered, along with an end to sheriff's patrol in rural areas.

I wonder if there might be some political hay to be made pointing out the costs associated with attempting to defend themselves in court for not issuing CCWs? Perhaps several well worded letters to the editor?

.

__________________"Send money. We have lawyers and guns." -- Gene Hoffman